Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has expressed strong criticism of Shan Masood's captaincy following Pakistan's loss in the first Test against Bangladesh on Sunday. Raja particularly took issue with Masood's decision to exclude spinners from the playing XI on a Rawalpindi pitch that favored spin.
Pakistan's strategy of deploying four pacers without a frontline spinner proved detrimental, especially on the final day of the match. Bangladesh’s spinners, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan, capitalized on the conditions to dismiss Pakistan for 146 in their second innings. This left Bangladesh with a modest target of just 30 runs, which they achieved with a commanding 10-wicket victory, highlighting a significant embarrassment for Pakistan.
Raja noted that Pakistan’s fast bowlers have lost their previous effectiveness, with reduced speed making them less threatening. He pointed out the mistakes in team selection, criticizing the decision to play without a spinner. Raja remarked that the reliance on fast bowlers has diminished, following a poor performance during the Asia Cup, where Indian batsmen exploited the pacers' weaknesses.
"Firstly, there was a mistake in team selection. You were without a spinner. Secondly, the reputation based on which we rely on our fast bowlers is finished. This debacle, a sort of a confidence crisis, started during the Asia Cup when India bashed our pacers on seaming conditions and then the secret was out to the world that the only way to counter this line-up was to attack," Raja said in a video on his YouTube channel.
"Their speeds have decreased, and so have their skill set. The Bangladesh fast bowlers seemed more penetrative, while our bowlers were involved in more drama around their wickets. Since Pakistan did not have an out-and-out fast bowler on that track, even the Bangladesh, with that line-up stood tall against our pacers with speeds around 125 to 135kmph," he explained.
Raja also emphasized the need for Masood to enhance his batting and demonstrate effective leadership. He criticized Masood's recent performances, suggesting that the team’s struggles against Bangladesh on home soil indicated poor condition assessment and application.
"Shan Masood is currently on a losing streak. I felt, in Australian conditions, things are tougher, and it was impossible for the Pakistan team to win a series there. But you are now losing in home conditions, against a team like Bangladesh, because you did not read the conditions well. Neither did the batters apply themselves and the bowlers were horrendous."
"Masood needs to improve his batting and needs to show that you have some knowledge of the game. He is an experienced skipper, having led in PSL and County matches. I don't know on what basis he picked four pacers for the Rawalpindi track during the month of August," he said.
"He needs to work on his batting. It's not like he is a great captain and so if he keeps getting out ducks, he would still have his place in the side. Losing makes a huge dent on the team and the morale of the side. You cannot lose the series. Pakistan cricket is already under a lot of pressure. A series loss would mean tension in the dressing room, there will be a lot of criticism and questions raised," Raja added.
The second and final Test of the series is scheduled to take place at the same venue on August 30.
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